International Water Week Amsterdam to Focus on Integrated Solutions

In 2050, the majority of the world's population will live in an urban environment. These huge cities face major water challenges. The International Water Week (IWW) Conference Nov. 4 to 6, 2013, will focus on integrated water solutions for a green economy. Topics will include water supply; sanitation; the water, food and energy nexus; governance; and flood control.

The conference is part of the International Water Week Amsterdam, an event combining the Aquatech Trade Exhibition, the Industrial Leaders forum, many excursions and a Young Professionals Program.

The International Water Assn. (IWA), the Netherlands Water Partnership, International Water Conferences (IWC) and Amsterdam RAI are the organizers of the International Water Week. This year’s edition focuses on sustainable water treatment and new urban water concepts. One of the main pillars of the program is the international IWW Conference, “Integrated Water Solutions for a Green Economy.”

The program involves the reutilization of water, energy and raw materials, in short: closing the water cycle. New partnerships are needed to allow stakeholders from the energy and waste sector to join in. New and robust technologies are also needed for the production of renewables, as well as new concepts of spatial planning to withstand severe weather events such as droughts and floods.

The focus of real water solutions in the conference is a perfect match with the other main component of the IWW: Aquatech Amsterdam. In line with market demand, the special focus for 2013 will continue to be on waste water treatment and industrial water use, while traditionally featuring the latest innovations and state-of-the-art water technology. Aquatech Amsterdam brings together all international leaders in the water industry under one roof. It is the largest exhibition focused purely on water technology and over 850 exhibitors and more than 21,500 visitors from around the world are expected to attend.

Highlights include:

• High level roundtable with leading cities invited by the mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan. They will explore the common challenges of water related integrated green metropolitan issues and the commitment of these cities to start a C40 working group on Green Metropolitan Solutions.

• Cities of the future: get a glimpse of tomorrow in a session convened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and IWA

• Excursions: visit the world’s first full scale wastewater plant with Nereda or visit the unique combination of Waste Water Plant Amsterdam & Energy Plant Amsterdam working together on waste, energy and resources

• The first dr Sarphati prize, (50.000 euros). This new, biennial international award will honor the contribution of an individual or organization to the global sanitation and public health challenge through entrepreneurship. Closing date for nominations is Sept. 15, 2013.

During International Water Week Amsterdam,many more events will take place, including:

• Young water professionals program for the next generation, contributing to finding and discussing new integrated water solutions (Nov. 3 to 8, 2013)

• Netherlands-Singapore seminar on New models for open innovation in water technology (Nov. 4, 2013)

• Industrial Leaders Forum with a debate between CEOs from the food, chemical and energy industries and CEOs from the water industry (Nov. 7, 2013)

Those who register before Sept. 1, 2013 will receive a 10% early bird discount.